An attempt is made here to analyze the issues and implications
in the context of Iran’s attitude and its nuclear policy, and its program of
development of nuclear technology. It is said that there is a “fog of hysteria, hypocrisy and malicious propaganda” that surrounds the issue of Iran’s nuclear program. A series of questions are there which need to be focused on and analyzed. There are lingering doubts about Iran’s intentions to build nuclear weapons. Its leaders have repeatedly denied any such intention. Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and is supposed to be on reasonably good terms with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the international nuclear watchdog. Though the IAEA has declared that it has no concrete evidence that Iran has a military nuclear program, doubts persist.
According to experts, Iran is desperately seeking to acquire the technical ability to make nuclear weapons as a deterrent and has decided not to proceed with their manufacture. It appears that Iran does not intend to go beyond the ‘threshold’ stage, much like Japan, for example.
The question is: Why does Iran need a deterrent capability? Is it under the threat of ‘regime change’ sought by the US? The paper highlights the views of the experts in the Middle East affairs.
The revelation, on September 26, 2009, that Iran had built a new enrichment facility near Qom alarmed the US and other Western countries. The satellite (GeoEye) showed that Iran has a centrifuge facility, which is under construction in a mountain located near Qom (Iran).
The New York Times revealed that the Obama administration is preparing a package of tougher economic sanctions against Iran that could include a cut in investments in Iran’s oil and gas industry and Iranian banks. According to The New York Times, the Obama administration is also seeking to build “a broader coalition of partners” for sanctions.
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